Nationals!!!

[coyne81486]

Asked my parents if i could go to nationals this year and they said yes!!!! even though its a long time away i cant wait!!! any tips on saving money to get some $$$$$ for the show? also are the prices from the dealers fair? lmk!!!!!!!!!!

[dthimesch]

if you haven't had any even life tips on how to save money you might be in trouble

You will have fun. Last year was my first year and it took me 3 1/2 days to look at everything.

[jtrinaldi]

where is it this year?

[gtmsportscards]

Home of the DPOY haha

[bk21yadigg]

Originally Posted by jtrinaldi

where is it this year?

Baltimore!

[davidhibler]

dumb question but Im a newbie...what is nationals?
like a national card show?

[iluvfish2]

Depends...last 2 years I've bought less than a handful of singles. Some dealers are looking to sell, others are looking to buy, and cash is king. Last year was really bad for singles I thought. Prices were higher than ebay and by high I felt most were 150% of what they'd normally bring. One dealer I almost dropped 200 on Boggs cards but he wasnt wanting to deal (he had the same prices on them from when he purchased them in 2002-2005).

I'd say put the money in a coffee can and loose it but then it makes it hard come the Nationals. Its just going to take strong will to make sure you keep te money you saved for it and not spend it before.

[37Jetson]

Start early on the saving for the National in Baltimore in August.

There are many great deals to be had at the National through Bargain Boxes ($.10, $.25, $1.00 etc) and a lot of Museum Like prices on everything else. If you have ever heard of the item it will likely be for sale at the show.

If you take the time there are a lot of promotional items that you can pick up at the Manufacturer Booths and from larger Wax sellers like Blowout Cards. Do your homework before you go and read up on these boards for the best tips.

Now get busy on making some money for the show.

[coyne81486]

yes the biggest one in the country 650+ dealers.

[coyne81486]

ya ive seen a few vids on the high end stuff there and its ridiculous!!!!!!!! only problem: its 5 months away!!! but the summer goes fast... looking to save about 400. i want 2-3 high end 2-3 mid end and a handfull of low does that sound reasonable ??? lmk

[frozenntimesports]

Originally Posted by davidhibler

dumb question but Im a newbie...what is nationals?
like a national card show?

Yep, its a National Card show held once a year in an exotic location like Baltimore or Anaheim.

Last time I went with $4000 in my pocket and left with $5900 and a PSA 10 Roy rookie, so it was a good show for me. Plus I sold a bunch of nonsense to another board member who I am pretty sure had a good time sorting through it.


If you save $100 per month, that'll be $500. Used to do that when I was in high school before the big Uniondale show.

[yankeesfan24]

$400 will last a few minutes there haha. good luck on saving. my first national was in baltimore and it was a blast. There are plenty of deals to be had, you just need to know what you are looking for.

[mikecancelliere]

Nice. Last year it was in Chicago and I didn't hit it up... Still kicking myself

[seancoyle]

I might think of going since it is only a couple of hours away and I can't wait. I know I am going to probably go and wish I would have saved up more money.

[coyne81486]

Originally Posted by seancoyle

I might think of going since it is only a couple of hours away and I can't wait. I know I am going to probably go and wish I would have saved up more money.

you can still save up!!!!!

[frozenntimesports]

Bring a notebook with you and keep track of the deals you are interested in. You can work the room in half a day. Then you can go negotiate. Of course if its a 1/1 or a low numbered card, you are taking a risk.

I'm going to go on the Thursday, seems to be the quietest day in the show, not as many autograph seekers and the dealers have just paid for table so you can probably negotiate the best deals then.

[coyne81486]

Originally Posted by KaraandMelliesDaddy

Bring a notebook with you and keep track of the deals you are interested in. You can work the room in half a day. Then you can go negotiate. Of course if its a 1/1 or a low numbered card, you are taking a risk.

I'm going to go on the Thursday, seems to be the quietest day in the show, not as many autograph seekers and the dealers have just paid for table so you can probably negotiate the best deals then.

My parents work so I wouldnt be able to go on a weekday going on sat. the most crowded... but owell its a once in a lifetime (for me) oppurtunity.

[frozenntimesports]

I went Saturday in Baltimore last time it was nearby, it will still be worth the trip. If you have or can borrow a smart-phone, bring it with you, you will be able to find out what is in wax for sale (most of the dealers didn't know when redemptions expired) and you will be able to be sure you aren't getting killed on prices.

Good luck.

[coyne81486]

Originally Posted by KaraandMelliesDaddy

I went Saturday in Baltimore last time it was nearby, it will still be worth the trip. If you have or can borrow a smart-phone, bring it with you, you will be able to find out what is in wax for sale (most of the dealers didn't know when redemptions expired) and you will be able to be sure you aren't getting killed on prices.

Good luck.

ya.. i have an iphone lol... ya what do you collect?

[37Jetson]

Sometimes there are money making opportunties at the show. Two years ago in Baltimore Topps issued a Stephen Strasburg Topps Heritage card. If you opened 10 Topps Packs at the booth after surviving the stampeded to get in line you got a card that you could immediately sell for $60. It gave me an $40 to spend on the show. Keep a watch on these boards for the deals offered the first couple days of the show.

[coyne81486]

Originally Posted by 37Jetson

Sometimes there are money making opportunties at the show. Two years ago in Baltimore Topps issued a Stephen Strasburg Topps Heritage card. If you opened 10 Topps Packs at the booth after surviving the stampeded to get in line you got a card that you could immediately sell for $60. It gave me an $40 to spend on the show. Keep a watch on these boards for the deals offered the first couple days of the show.

Othx for the tips ppl!!!!!!!

[YanksBillsFan]

I went more for the autographs but went by the Panini booth to get in on some of the wax busting. I went the first two days of the show and not many dealers were budging. It was a good time regardless and I finally got to meet a couple of players I've been dying to meet.

[coyne81486]

Originally Posted by YanksBillsFan

I went more for the autographs but went by the Panini booth to get in on some of the wax busting. I went the first two days of the show and not many dealers were budging. It was a good time regardless and I finally got to meet a couple of players I've been dying to meet.

im not really into busting wax but like watching mojo videos on the tube Anyone else that has gone to nationals can still lmk on their experiences and tips

[Triple B]

Don't spend a dime on cards between now and then. Save EVERYTHING. I've been to 5 of them (3 in Cleveland and 2 in Chicago) and I've had a great time at each one. Prices are good if you have time to look. Each dealer is different but you'll find the ones that have the best prices with the best deals to be made.

[csmtampa]

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